VDRL test

VDRL test Venereal Disease Research Laboratory test, a blood test for syphilis. A negative (nonreactive) VDRL test is compatible with a person not having syphilis. However, a person may have a negative VDRL and still have syphilis because in the early stages of the disease, the VDRL often gives false negative results. The VDRL test is sometimes positive in the absence of syphilis. For example, a false positive VDRL can be encountered in a patient with infectious mononucleosis, lupus, antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, hepatitis A, leprosy, malaria, and, occasionally, pregnancy. See also syphilis.